Urban Legends That Will CREEP You Out

 

From a creature that feasts on livestock to another known to punish naughty children, these are some of the creepiest urban legends in the world!

Number 10.

Krampus

The story of Krampus is much more widespread today than it was just a few years ago because of the 2015 comedy-horror flick titled after the folktale.

But, there's nothing funny about the original story.

This legend began in Central Europe.

Krampus is Santa Claus's evil counterpart and is far from human.

His sharp goat-like horns protrude from his forehead, he has cloven hooves and a long, pointed tongue that hangs from his mouth.

He's covered in thick black hair, and he has knife-like fangs.

Many people describe him as being half-goat and half-demon.

Around Christmastime, he travels to various places including Austria, Croatia, Northern Italy, Slovakia, and Hungary and punishes naughty children.

Krampus is often depicted carrying coal and birch branches, which he uses to swat kids, and he carries a whip in other images.

Sometimes, Krampus brings a basket or sack with him and kidnaps bad children to eat, drown, or take to the underworld.

Number 9.

The Hookman

The story of The Hook or Hookman was created in the 1950s and became popular in 1960 after being reprinted in the Dear Abby advice column.

The Hookman is so named because he has a hook in place of one of his hands.

One version of the tale begins with a young couple driving through a wooded area during the night.

They are forced to stop after their car breaks down, and the man walks off to find help.

Meanwhile, the girl is left in the vehicle alone and turns the radio on to keep herself entertained.

That's when a disturbing news bulletin pops on the air, stating that a mental patient has escaped his confines and is on the loose.

After hearing a loud thumping on the roof of the vehicle, she steps out and turns around to find The Hookman hitting the car with her boyfriend's detached head.

In other versions of the story, the man and woman meet an untimely demise, and in some, it's only the girl.

In most varieties, however, a hook is found at the crime scene.

Number 8.

Loch Ness Monster

Since this urban legend is one of the most well-known in the world, there aren't many people who'll be surprised to see this strange aquatic creature on our list.

The earliest record of this monster is from a sixth-century AD book by Adomnan, which details an Irish monk's encounter with the River Ness "water beast."

There were a couple of other sightings in the early 1870s, but the most famous took place on July 1933.

A man named George Spicer and his spouse recalled seeing the animal traverse the street in front of their car.

The mysterious creature stood four feet high at the shoulders with a twenty-five-foot-long body and twelve-foot-long narrow neck.

Although the couple didn't see any limbs, the monster heaved its way across the road and into the loch, leaving behind a trail of damaged underbrush.

After news of the supposed beast spread, more and more people began visiting the area to catch a glimpse of it.

Over the years, various other sightings kept the interest of the legend growing.

Even evidence from a 2013 article, Apple Maps picture, and Google Street View suggest the Loch Ness monster could be real.

Despite scientific evidence pointing to a hoax, many still believe this creature resides in the Scottish Highlands' Loch Ness.

Number 7.

Nale Ba

Known in English as "come tomorrow," this urban legend stems from Karnataka in southwestern India.

People across rural areas write Nale Ba or "come tomorrow" on their doors to deter malevolent spirits from entering their homes.

There are a few variations of the myth, some of which describe the ghost of a bride that roams the streets at night looking for her husband.

If the ghost enters a house, she abducts the man of the family; and since he is often the only source of income in these areas of the world, taking him away causes severe hardship for the other family members.

Although it began years ago, this legend became viral in the 1990s.

The story is as follows: A witch walks the streets at night and knocks on the door.

If you open it when she knocks, you'll meet an untimely demise.

Therefore, residents write "Nale Ba" on the walls and doors of their homes to deter the spirit for another day.

Number 6.

The Spider Bite

This legend, also called "The Red Spot," originated in Europe in the 1970s.

The myth is about a young woman from a northern place, like New York City or England, who travels to an exotic location, such as South America or Mexico.

While on holiday in this tropical climate, she decides to lay out in the sun, and a spider lands on her cheek and bites her.

The bite mark soon begins swelling, resulting in a boil-like blotch on her face.

After rushing home to be treated, a doctor lances the bite mark.

It bursts open and hundreds of small spiders pour out of her cheek.

The young woman goes into shock and loses her sanity.

Number 5.

Bleeding Stone

This ancient Roman tale originated during the Byzantine Empire and was started by the Emperor Theodosius.

When over seven thousand people perished under Theodosius's rule in Hippodrome Square, the surviving citizens created a memorial stone, which was engraved with all of the victims'

names.

Every year, the stone was said to bleed on the anniversary of the devastating incident.

Since the Emperor didn't want a reminder, he commanded the destruction of the memorial.

After the Bleeding Stone was destroyed, a curse fell upon Hippodrome, and any structure that was built in the area was mystically demolished - specifically the homes of people who refused to acknowledge the history of the location.

Since the Archives of the History of Thessaloniki now rest on the site of the stone and thoroughly recognize the awful events that occurred there, the curse has been lifted for now.

Number 4.

Chupacabra

Another terrifying creature that almost everyone has heard of is the Chupacabra, which means "goat-sucker" in Spanish.

The first reported incident involving one of these mythic beasts happened in Puerto Rico in 1995.

Eight sheep were discovered entirely drained of blood with puncture wounds marking their chests.

A short time after, a woman named Madelyne Tolentino claimed that she'd seen the creature in Canovanas, where about one hundred fifty farm animals had perished.

The term "Chupacabra" was coined by Silverio Perez, a Puerto Rican comedian, after the first report.

The incidents soon began happening across several other nations, from the Dominican Republic to the United States.

In 2018, several of the creatures were supposedly spotted in India, and numerous people recalled seeing the Chupacabras in person.

Number 3.

Umm Al Duwais

This story stems from the United Arab Emirates and features one of the nation's most feared djinn.

A djinn, known by the Anglican term "genie,"

is a spirit that can be either good or evil.

But, in the case of Umm Al Duwais, it is the latter.

This legend has been around for years and managed to survive the transition into modern times, unlike many other djinn.

Um Al Duwais has beautiful feline eyes, jet black hair, and smells of sweet perfume.

She also has the feet of a burro, which she keeps hidden, and her hands are made of blades.

Ancient tales describe her as a monster who demolishes men, women, and children.

But, other versions paint her as a seductress who draws men in with her good looks before ending their lives with a flick of her scythe-like hands.

Sometimes the spirit is said to consume various animals as well and trick women along with men by disguising herself as a friend.

Nowadays, however, some people - mainly women - side with Umm Al Duwais, whose primary goal is often interpreted as ridding the world of unfaithful, evil, and monstrous men.

Number 2.

Bloody Mary

The origin of this disturbing tale can't be pinpointed, but some theories suggest that it stems from Elizabeth Bathory, a villainous queen known for taking the lives of hundreds of young women, Mary I of England, who ordered the demise of several Protestants for heresy, or Mary Worth, a witch who was persecuted and perished during the Salem witch trials.

No matter where the story comes from, Bloody Mary turned into a common and frightening ritual that people all over the world have tried in hopes of conjuring up something supernatural.

For anybody brave enough to try it, the act begins with a participant who must enter a dark room with a mirror and a lit candle.

They have to look into the mirror while chanting the name "Bloody Mary"

usually thirteen times.

If done correctly, the woman is said to appear in the mirror.

However, there's a chance she'll reach out to scratch your face or haunt you for eternity.

Number 1.

Gjenganger

These terrifying spirits come from Scandinavian folklore, and the name roughly means "walking again" in Norwegian.

So, it's similar to the more commonly known zombie, except these former humans usually have a reason for returning from their graves.

Most of the time, it's because they're unable to rest in peace.

Commonly, a gjenganger perished by someone else's hand, they took their own lives, or they have unfinished business.

Although they're walking once more, they usually need the help of the living to complete any tasks left undone.

Traditionally, these creatures were completely entirely tangible and didn't have any ghostly qualities.

They were known to be evil and violent and often returned to viciously haunt their friends and family; so, people went to great lengths to make sure they stayed put after their burials.

The legend is traced back to the Vikings when they were featured in Icelandic sagas and referred to as "Draugr."

Luckily, these malicious beings are mortal and will succumb to a sharp sword.

What are some other creepy urban legends you've heard of?

Tell us your scary stories in the comments below!

And, as always, thank you for reading!